“May I have this dance, please?” Niko asked, his voice soft yet filled with an edge I could barely place. His smile, though warm, felt like a cover—a reassurance I knew was just for show.
I tensed, glancing quickly at Dominico, who was glaring at Nikolai with an intensity that made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I could feel his possessiveness rolling off him in waves, and for a moment, I debated declining the offer. But I realized this might be the only chance I had to talk to Niko privately, without Dominico hovering over me. There was no telling when I’d get another chance like this.
Before Dom could intervene, I nodded. “Yes,” I said, stepping into Nikolai’s arms. As we began to move to the rhythm of the music, I immediately felt more at ease than I had during the earlier dan
